not getting enough food?

[pepper_and_snow]

Hello,
I recently got a new guinea pigs of which we bonded with our older one. I believe our older one (Pepper) claimed dominance. Whenever I bring the food, Pepper doesn't allow the younger one to eat, and growls if she tries to eat next to her. When I bring them veggies, Pepper will finish hers and then steal the younger pigs veggies. Even when the younger one tries to drink water, Pepper will run up to her and push her away. Not sure if this is just stating dominance, but I want to make sure the little one is able to eat as well. I tried putting hay in different spots especially during play time, but Pepper still tries to push her away wherever she is.

 

[Piggies&buns]

The only way to know if she is getting enough hay is by what is going on with her weight.
is the younger piggy gaining weight well? If she is, then she is getting enough hay. If she isn’t gaining weight and may be losing weight, then there is a problem - either a health issue or a problem with their bond

As hay is the main food intake and makes up 80% of the daily food intake (veg and pellets are merely snacks), and you can’t judge hay intake by eye, the only way to know a piggy is eating enough is by weighing your piggies every week aa part of routine care.

Taking veg from another piggy is normal dominant behaviour, but if she is constantly pushing the younger away and not letting her eat, so much so that her weight is suffering, then you may have to look at whether their bond is working properly. It may be bullying behaviour which could mean they don’t actually get on.

Bonds In Trouble

 

[Engel]

 

[pepper_and_snow]

The only way to know if she is getting enough hay is by what is going on with her weight.
is the younger piggy gaining weight well? If she is, then she is getting enough hay. If she isn’t gaining weight and may be losing weight, then there is a problem - either a health issue or a problem with their bond

As hay is the main food intake and makes up 80% of the daily food intake (veg and pellets are merely snacks), and you can’t judge hay intake by eye, the only way to know a piggy is eating enough is by weighing your piggies every week aa part of routine care.

Taking veg from another piggy is normal dominant behaviour, but if she is constantly pushing the younger away and not letting her eat, so much so that her weight is suffering, then you may have to look at whether their bond is working properly. It may be bullying behaviour which could mean they don’t actually get on.

Bonds In Trouble

She seems to be getting bigger, but I do need to weigh her more often. I'll probably do that asap just to make sure. I noticed this week that when the older one is sleeping or finishes eating, she is able to eat hay and other goodies.

 

[Piggies&buns]

She seems to be getting bigger, but I do need to weigh her more often. I'll probably do that asap just to make sure. I noticed this week that when the older one is sleeping or finishes eating, she is able to eat hay and other goodies.

Definitely ensure you weigh both piggies every week as part of routine care. Pick a day and have that as weight check/health check day. As I said, hay is 80% of their daily food intake and it’s not possible to know they see eating enough hay simply by watching them.
If you are ever concerned about a health issue, then you switch to weighing them daily so you can monitor food intake and step in when necessary.